National Security

Wireless Communications Research

INL develops, tests and evaluates secure wireless communications technologies that help government and industry strengthen critical communications and use the wireless spectrum more effectively.

Why Wireless Communications Matter

If you own a cell phone, work remotely, or commute in an autonomous vehicle, the wireless spectrum is critical to your life. The spectrum is the invisible highway that allows wireless signals and data to stream across the country and around the world. How we design, use, and secure this information superhighway has major implications to national security. This is especially true as 5G and the internet of things (IoT) expands worldwide, connecting billions of devices and nodes.

For decades, INL employees have conducted research, testing and training on communications and wireless systems, including radios, cellphones and satellites. INL continues to develop award-winning and patented technologies to improve communications security and increase efficient use of the wireless spectrum.

Mission & Vision

Our mission and vision guide the research, innovation and testing that advance secure, resilient wireless communications for high-consequence environments.

Mission

Wireless Communications Research at the Idaho National Laboratory advances the science and engineering of resilient, efficient communications technologies for high-consequence environments. We develop innovations in spectrum use, waveform design and radio frequency (RF) propagation modeling to support secure, reliable wireless communications for national security and critical infrastructure.

Vision

To lead the nation in advancing wireless communications for high-consequence operations through research, modeling, development and rigorous testing that delivers trusted performance when failure is not an option.

Capabilities

Wireless Communications Research develops and validates technologies that improve the security, resilience and performance of wireless communications in high-consequence environments.

Dedicated Research and Testing Facilities

INL Wireless Test Range offers large-scale, end-to-end testing of cellular, fixed and mobile radios, wireless local area networks and telecommunications backhaul (microwave, free-space optical, fiber-optic, and satellite) systems to industry and government.

Anechoic Chamber

INL anechoic chambers provide a controlled, radio frequency noise environment for testing and evaluating wireless devices and systems.

Energy Security Research Laboratory

ESRL is home to the Controls Laboratory and Wireless Communications Research.

Desert Site - Buttes

An open-air, large scale test range that supports full-scale wireless systems testing in congested and contested environments.

5G Cellular Tower

INL supports Tier 1, carrier-grade cellular testing across 2G-5G and LTE networks, with ability to monitor and record cellular interfaces during testing..

High Frequency Test Bed

Enables testing of high frequency and ultrahigh frequency wireless systems in a controlled, spectrum-authorized environment.

National Operations Communications Center

Central Facilities supports the Wireless Test Bed network and operations center.

Satellite Test Bed

Supports satellite and microwave communications testing as part of INL’s end-to-end wireless network infrastructure.

EBR-1 Cell Site

Supports satellite and microwave communications testing as part of INL’s end-to-end wireless network infrastructure.

Connect with our Team

Questions about our research, capabilities or collaboration opportunities? Our team is ready to connect you with the right experts and resources at INL.

Corinne Dionisio

Communications Liaison

corinne.dionisio@inl.gov

Additional Resources